UWF football learns painfully the fine line between glorious and glum

UWF fell in its final home game of the regular season against No. 7 Valdosta State. Head coach Pete Shinnick recapped the loss after the game.
Bill Vilona, bvilona@pnj.com

UWF defensive back Alden McClellon (32) times his hit perfectly and forces Valdosta State wide receiver Travon Roberts (1) to cough up the ball in the Argos' last home game of the regular season on Saturday, November 3, 2018, at Blue Wahoos Stadium. Marvin Conley (5) caught the loose ball and UWF scored a touchdown on the next offensive drive.(Photo: Jody Link/online@pnj.com)

The players made a slow, painful walk, struggling to hold helmets aloft when joining remaining University of West Florida students in the end zone for the post-game alma mater.

A football schedule which once seemed so inviting ended Saturday with a third home loss and difficult reality, following the Argos 48-21 loss against unbeaten, No. 7-ranked Valdosta State.

This is the point a year ago when UWF launched its improbable, record-setting run that went all the way into mid-December with placement in the NCAA Division II national title game.

No team in history had gone from start-up to title game in two years of existence.

But this third season presents no such charm.

"I think we played some very good football that hasn't been rewarded. But we have played some bad football that has really cost us," said UWF coach Pete Shinnick, who has been in the business long enough to see highs-and-lows many times over.

UWF's Marvin Conley (5) keeps his eye on the loose ball and makes an interception after teammate Alden McClellon, left on the ground, hit Valdosta State wide receiver Travon Roberts, right on the ground, in the Argos' last home game of the regular season on Saturday, November 3, 2018, at Blue Wahoos Stadium.(Photo: Jody Link/online@pnj.com)

The good and bad occurred in the same game Saturday. Forced by injuries into a quarterback-by-committee approach, UWF trailed 14-0 and most of the 5,893 fans on a postcard-perfect day at Blue Wahoos Stadium went quiet.

But then, midway through the second quarter, the game was tied. And from that point, it became compelling football until the final eight minutes or so in the game.

"It's tough... it is really tough to watch," said running back Chris Schwarz, who rushed for 118 yards and a touchdown. "But the best thing we can do is be positive and make the most of what we have."

UWF is 6-4, 4-3 in the Gulf South Conference, with another challenge ahead next Saturday at West Alabama to end a season that began with a No. 2 national ranking.

This is why championship runs are rare and difficult to duplicate. A year ago, UWF had quarterback Mike Beaudry as the leader and he delivered the entire season.

This year? He played less than one quarter of the season-opener Aug. 30 and was never seen again, following a foot injury.

Saturday, UWF was using its No. 4 quarterback, Nick Belz as starter and last year's backup quarterback, Gray Jackson, who had to be reconverted from being a linebacker.

A year ago, placekicker Austin Williams was among the best in Division II. This year he's struggled. He missed his seventh consecutive field goal attempt Saturday.

After the Argos go a go-ahead score in the third quarter, along with a personal foul call on Valdosta State, the call came for short, popup kick to hopefully force a fumble.

It didn't happen that way.

"Poor communications," Shinnick said. "We were trying to loop it downfield. The ball's at the 50 (after personal foul penalty on touchdown), so we were trying to loop it at the 30 or 25... We just didn't hit it as well as we wanted."

After VSU (9-0, 7-0 in GSC) turned the short-field opportunity into a go-ahead touchdown, UWF dialed up a trick play on the ensuing possession snap.

But receiver Antoine Griffin, who became a quarterback on this play, overthrew receiver Quentin Randolph, a Navarre High grad, who was open and free to potential create a 81-yard touchdown.

"Had him wide open," Shinnick said. "That was one we felt like we could get. We were great with it all week in practice."

This is sort of the fine line of separation between success in a season. It's the difference between gloom and glorious.

"It's difficult, because you put so much into it... and to be three or four plays away.. that is the hard part of this profession," Shinnick said. .

"We just haven't been able to turn that corner. Obviously injuries have played a part in that but we have to find a way to overcome it."

You can't lose sight of the obvious, however. The Argos had a senior day Saturday honoring three original members: Griffin, safety Marvin Conley and defensive tackle Anthony Ryals.

They were among the nine players who formed a makeshift team in the first practice five years ago. In all, more than 30 seniors were saluted in a pregame ceremony with parents and relatives.

It could have been more special with an upset win.

"They have meant so much to this program," Shinnick said. "And to be a player off. or be an injury away, or a guy away from what I think is a very good football team is frustrating.

"I am disappointed for them because of all the hard work they put in."